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BLOOMINGTON — The next step in Tom Allen's defensive renaissance at Indiana got a shot in the arm Thursday.

Rashard Fant, a second-team All-Big Ten corner and one of the conference's best one-on-one defensive backs over the past two seasons, tweeted that he intends to return for his fifth and final year. Fant had been considering the NFL, but will instead enter a graduate program at IU's School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and stay for the 2017 season.

A regular starter over the last two years, Fant's combined 39 pass break-ups in 2015 and 2016 are tops in the Big Ten, and his 20 passes defended led the conference last fall. He pulled in a career-high three interceptions as a redshirt junior, and was part of a defensive turnaround that saw IU move from 121st to 45th nationally in total defense.

Fant's decision isn't the only one Indiana will have to sweat over the coming weeks. Linebackers Tegray Scales, a true junior and an All-American this season, and Marcus Oliver, a redshirt junior, could both potentially consider an NFL future. Junior running back Devine Redding, the first IU player to rush for 1,000-plus yards in back-to-back seasons since Vaughn Dunbar in 1990-91, is also draft eligible.

But returning Fant is a strong first step. In addition to statistical contributions, Fant became a key voice in Indiana's defensive backfield, anchoring a rapidly maturing unit that also includes promising young players like safety Jonathan Crawford, cornerback A'Shon Riggins and husky Marcelino Ball.

His return is a boost for Allen, as he attempts to move IU's defense even further forward.